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| Man arrested over death of Thornbury vicar John Suddards | Man arrested over death of Thornbury vicar John Suddards |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a vicar was found dead. | A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a vicar was found dead. |
| The body of the Reverend John Suddards, 59, a former barrister, was found by builders at the vicarage in Thornbury near Bristol on Tuesday. | The body of the Reverend John Suddards, 59, a former barrister, was found by builders at the vicarage in Thornbury near Bristol on Tuesday. |
| Avon and Somerset Police said builders had made the discovery after being given a key to the property. | Avon and Somerset Police said builders had made the discovery after being given a key to the property. |
| A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Suddards had died from "multiple stab wounds". | A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Suddards had died from "multiple stab wounds". |
| Det Ch Insp Simon Crisp said officers did not have a good understanding of his friends and family at present. | Det Ch Insp Simon Crisp said officers did not have a good understanding of his friends and family at present. |
| 'Come forward' | 'Come forward' |
| He appealed for people who went to St Mary's church and who knew Mr Suddards to come forward. | He appealed for people who went to St Mary's church and who knew Mr Suddards to come forward. |
| "I would like the help of the people who live in Thornbury," he said. | "I would like the help of the people who live in Thornbury," he said. |
| "The reverend had only lived here a few months. | |
| "In particular, I would be keen to speak to anybody who saw the reverend after 12.30pm on Monday. | |
| "Please don't let it rest on your conscience if you know something and you haven't told us, however small." | "Please don't let it rest on your conscience if you know something and you haven't told us, however small." |
| The Ven Geoffrey Sidaway, archdeacon of Gloucester, said: "It may, of course, be some weeks or months before a funeral can take place and so the Bishop of Gloucester will be coming to Thornbury on Friday evening for a short service and to show his solidarity to the people of this church and community at what is an incredibly difficult time. | |
| "Sadly this event highlights the vulnerable nature of parish ministry in some of our communities today," he added. | |
| When asked if he thought the murderer could be a member of the parish, Mr Sidaway said: "I don't have that at all. | |
| "But many clergy on a daily basis open their homes and their churches to people and clearly that can put them in a vulnerable situation." | |
| 'Much loved' | |
| The Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Reverend John Went said: "Our hearts go out to John's immediate family and close friends." | The Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Reverend John Went said: "Our hearts go out to John's immediate family and close friends." |
| Earlier, a Eucharist service took place at nearby St Paul's Church, which is also part of Thornbury parish, where prayers were said. | Earlier, a Eucharist service took place at nearby St Paul's Church, which is also part of Thornbury parish, where prayers were said. |
| Mr Suddards had joined the clergy 22 years ago following a serious car crash. | Mr Suddards had joined the clergy 22 years ago following a serious car crash. |
| The vicar had only arrived recently to work in the Bristol area from the Diocese of Chelmsford in Essex. | The vicar had only arrived recently to work in the Bristol area from the Diocese of Chelmsford in Essex. |
| The Reverend Simon Garwood, vicar at St Nicolas in Witham, Mr Suddards' former parish, said: "He had served in the area for 10 years and was much loved. | |
| "He was absolutely devoted to the church and worked extremely hard. He gave a lot of himself for the church." | "He was absolutely devoted to the church and worked extremely hard. He gave a lot of himself for the church." |
| John Goodman, mayor of Witham, said he and his wife had attended the church on special occasions such as Christmas. | John Goodman, mayor of Witham, said he and his wife had attended the church on special occasions such as Christmas. |
| "He was a very quiet man who kept himself to himself but he was devoted to the church and was a very well-liked rector," he said. | "He was a very quiet man who kept himself to himself but he was devoted to the church and was a very well-liked rector," he said. |
| Phil Barlow, a former mayor of Witham, said Mr Suddards had married his daughter and son-in-law. | Phil Barlow, a former mayor of Witham, said Mr Suddards had married his daughter and son-in-law. |
| "He was a family friend and was always very people-oriented," Mr Barlow said. | "He was a family friend and was always very people-oriented," Mr Barlow said. |
| "Although he had a senior position in the church in Witham, his pastoral work is what people will remember him for. | "Although he had a senior position in the church in Witham, his pastoral work is what people will remember him for. |
| "He cared for people and supported them. He was always kind and compassionate." | "He cared for people and supported them. He was always kind and compassionate." |